Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/25/2006

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The NCDA Board will be acting on the proposal for services at their next meeting on August 8, 2006. The City of Ramsey and the NCDA will enter into a joint powers agreement to finalize the details of this agreement in August or September. One action item is necessary prior to the joint powers agreement to hold a place for the Ramsey express bus service within the contract with Laidlaw Transit Services. Ms. Olsen explained the NCDA contract for Northstar Commuter Coach service with Laidlaw will begin October 2006. Ramsey's service cannot start until the express bus service is amended into the current 2006-2007 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Ramsey service can be implemented after receiving federal approval of the TIP in November 2006. There is a gap between initiation of the NCDA and Ramsey bus service. Laidlaw has found two buses for use with the Ramsey service. It is prudent for Ramsey to reserve these buses to be available to run service as soon as they receive federal approval of the TIP amendment. Also, they want drivers hired and trained and the buses prepared so they can start service as soon as they receive federal approval of the TIP amendment. Laidlaw has proposed what the additional cost would be to reserve the buses and take the steps necessary to start Ramsey service as soon as possible after amendment of the TIP. This cost to hold the two buses would be $5,712.30 per month. The additional cost of $11,424.60 would be required for October and November. Ramsey would be responsible for this cost. The NCDA Board wants some agreement that Ramsey is comfortable in proceeding prior to the NCDA taking action on the contract, which is going before the NCDA Board on Thursday, August 8th. Once the contract is approved by the NCDA Board a joint powers agreement will be drafted between the City of Ramsey and the NCDA. Ms. Olsen indicated a memo can be drafted from the City Administrator stating that the Council has reviewed this and is comfortable with utilizing the reserve fund. She clarified if service does not start until December the City would be required to pay the $11,000. Mayor Gamec suggested a resolution of support be adopted to submit to the NCDA, rather than a memo. City Administrator Norman indicated a resolution can be added to the agenda tonight in draft form; the final resolution will be included in the Weekly Update. 3) Waco Street Sidewalk Improvement City Engineer Jankowski stated at the September 2005 Public Works Committee meeting there was discussion of providing safe accommodations for non vehicular traffic along Waco Street in the Rivers Bend subdivision, which resulted in a recommendation that staff pursue the development of a sidewalk along Waco Street from Sunwood Drive to Rivers Bend Park and a trail connection between Highway 47 and Waco Street. Included in the Council's packet is a sketch illustrating a proposed alignment of a trail/sidewalk system. A concrete sidewalk would be placed along the west side of Waco Street between Sunwood Drive and its intersection at 142nd Lane and then continuing along the east side of Waco Street from that point to the park entrance. A boardwalk/trail linkage would be made between the existing TH #47 trail and Waco Street through the wetland and the City owned property. Mr. Jankowski stated on Tuesday, July 18,2006, the Public Works Committee discussed the construction of a sidewalk on Waco Street from Sunwood Drive to Rivers Bend Park. The estimated cost for the Waco Street City Council Work Session / July 25, 2006 Page 3 of 5